The tree landed on top of the contractor as he tried to get clear, causing severe crush injuries to his chest, abdomen and spine.ĭirectional felling of large trees is highly skilled work and those carrying out the work must have the required level of training and experience to ensure that they are competent to do the job safely. Before the felling cut was complete the tree started to go over but, despite the tension being applied by the tractor, it turned and fell back towards the road. It appears that the contractor had difficulties in making the felling cut and had failed to create a sufficient hinge to help control the tree as it fell. Tension had being applied to the tree by a strop and rope attached to the tractor. A large beech tree was next to a road so a tractor, operated by the farmer, was being used to help direct the tree away from the road. He had been asked to take down a number of mature hardwood trees on a farm and was being assisted by the farmer.
FISA 302 Basic chainsaw felling and manual takedownĪ 29-year old self-employed firewood supplier was crushed by a falling treeĪ 29-year old self-employed firewood supplier was crushed by a falling tree.
Be constantly aware of likely danger, especially when the tree begins to fall.Īfter you have assessed the tree but still remain uncertain about its condition (or the condition of adjacent trees that could be affected) be prepared to leave the tree unfelled or change your felling method. Look out for dead wood, insecure branches and any signs of decay both in the tree to be felled, and in adjacent crowns. Despite wearing an appropriate helmet, he died from head injuries.īe very thorough in your assessment of the tree being felled.
The branch may have either fallen out of the felled tree or an adjacent tree that it was entangled with. As the tree fell in the planned direction, a dead branch dropped and struck him on the head. He was a qualified and experienced forester felling a diseased elm tree with a chainsaw in a remote woodland gulley. Appendix 1 (AFAG302 – Basic chainsaw felling and manual takedown) illustrates this at Figure 1.Ī 43-year old estate worker was struck by a tree branch.
'Wedges' are one of the tools used by forestry workers and the use of them to free a jammed chainsaw is not uncommon.This allows the felling direction and the rate of the fall to be controlled. The falling action of the tree is controlled because the portion of the tree that has not been cut through creates what is called a 'hinge'.The felling cut should stop before it meets the sink cut to create a hinge. A 'felling cut' is the horizontal cut made into the rear of the tree, just above and towards the sink cut.It should be made at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. A 'sink cut' is a triangular cut made near to the base of the trunk in the side of the tree that the tree is intended to fall.Terms and practises used in forestry and arboriculture Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG).Good practice for tree climbing operations.Chainsaws and tree felling continues to kill.